Charis lay awake. Deliberating over her plans and preparations, checking, double checking and now triple checking. The setting of the alerts meticulously positioned. The sworn assassins certain to slay the warrior sisters on guard as a first step. If the alerts triggered then her warrior sisters faced a deadly threat, if not then the assassins held to their oath and the deaths of the warrior sisters a show, convincing the Watcher, although no actual harm done. The possibilities one or the other, no more, she convinced herself.

---

Her hands nimbly plaited her long brown black hair in competition with Helice’s magnificent threaded and pinned display while her seer sister patrolled their campsite oblivious to the contest. The tools of Astera’s trade, tower shield and spear propped up opposite her against a stubby bush within easy reach, although deliberately not in her grasp. Across the subdued campfire Thyia watched her half-coin partner’s hairdressing struggle, acting distracted, her sentry duty apparently forgotten.

The final, faint night bell of Hillperch sounded long ago, and Astera began considering a shift change. Perhaps Charis predicted correctly again, pre-dawn not dead of night.

“It is now,” Helice absorbed Charis’ joy in her sending."

“They are loyal, they are truly loyal.” Now Helice received a wave of emotional relief.

Charis wasn’t taught the rules to break them mused Helice, Seer Sending a strictly serious unemotional revenant task for those trained by the Temple. The forceful expressive sending propelled by Charis’ emotions disregarding such teachings. Helice purposely patrolled within a body length or at most two from Charis. When they tested Charis’ Seer strength in preparation, they were relieved to discover Helice didn’t need stand near Charis’ bedroll within touch range, an unnatural guard position. Charis’ capture couldn’t happen while on guard duty. The Watcher needed to commit beyond kidnapping guards and capturing her prize.

As if in response to Astera, Helice played with her immaculate tight braids, pinning them as curls above her ears, instead of leaving them as ropes down each side of her fair neck. In truth this signal informed both Astera and Thyia the assassins remained allies instead of foes and to play along with whatever they planned. Astera and Thyia joined in the hair joke with a grin and quiet giggle. If Helice approached Astera to assist her with her “hairdressing” instead, that action declared the assassins as enemies of the Daughters and a more aggressive response pursued.

“Helice one enemy approaches, the Watcher is here!”

Helice accepted the trap sprung, the Daughters committed as much as the Watcher. A shiver of excitement raced up her spine in anticipation, was welcoming danger foolhardy?

“Alcmene, it is tonight therefore your fitness exercise is done, time to retrace your steps sister,” sent Helice.

“Hmmf …” Alcmene sent in reply.

“I sense some emotion in your reply sister, what would your former Mother Superior think? Tsk tsk.”

---

Thyia caught her breath, resisting the urge to react by harnessing her willpower. She felt, sensed, perceived although none of those accurately described the actual awareness radiating from her half coin, she knew in an instant the threat to Astera’s life. She then fell into the same peril as cold metal worried her throat. The threat to both believed by their half coin link.

“Sister, don’t struggle, fall as if dead,” whispered a voice, the owner’s lips amongst Thyia’s short black hair to camouflage her communication while one hand covered Thyia’s mouth and the other dramatically drew the held dagger across her throat.

Astera and Thyia slumped ‘dead’ within heartbeats of each other, the assassins gently lowering their respective ‘kills’ to the ground, not a display of kindness, solely to ensure silence as trained. Helice spied them being dealt with, started to raise the alarm and then she similarly succumbed.

The three assassins silently positioned themselves beside a camp roll each and with a discrete nod from one of them, they placed one hand over their respective victims’ mouths while holding a blade to their throats. Their orders were not to kill as the Watcher wasn’t certain, which camp roll Charis slept in.

Charis, Otonia and Rhea were encouraged to slowly rise and then forced to their knees, an assassin behind each. Once safely presented the Watcher approached her prisoners, escorted by a gingerly shuffling fourth assassin. Both though kept to the half light and half shadows on the edge of the camp fire radiance.

Charis’ white skin known, her face and arms not covered by under cloth and the flame of the low camp fire enough to easily reveal her uniqueness beside her two sleepy warrior sisters.

“Well Charis the Young, where she should be, kneeling in front of me. When you defeated the first Three, I admit to a little concern, although attacking you in your House gave you an advantage. Here I deem is a more level contest and I am immensely proud of my students who now blossom with this mission.”

Charis glimpsed the quartz white skin of the Watcher, a dead white compared to her living white skin she decided. The Watcher also favoured two polished daggers, the blades reflecting the meagre fire light like mirrors, as she shifted and tumbled them adroitly in her hands.

“I think you talk too much. What of the Seer?” asked Charis, trying to lace her voice with disappointment, while counting six other knives holstered across her rib cage and six pointed crosses hooked on a belt around her waist. The Watcher prepared for violence and slaughter.

“Oh, I merely require you!” An excitement and celebration resonated from the Watcher, who lingered in the shadows still. Charis wondered why her capture served as the ultimate accomplishment for this mysterious agent and master trainer. The Watcher seemed childlike in her triumph in contrast to her mature and well-proportioned body encased in soft leather armour every part honed and trained to deal death.

The fourth assassin returned from inspecting the Seer and whispered an update for the Watcher’s benefit alone.

“Your warrior-sisters, well the ones still alive at least, can continue the final task of Charis the Young.” Again, a childlike joy discernible in her voice and her animated hand movements toying with the daggers held by them confirming her victory.

“You my dear will be delivered to one who wishes to extract every bit of information about the evil you collude with!” Finally, her triumph declared, and Charis’ fate decided upon, the Watcher leaning forward for emphasis revealing a masked face bordered by shoulder length raven black hair.

A mask? Charis fought the distraction to reason her old friend the Lord of the Northern Watch the current sponsor of this mission as no one else believed she colluded with evil, at least openly.

Zoe released at the Watcher and as the arrow accurately targeted her chest, she twisted her body away from its path, a finger’s width of avoidance. The arrow followed through, striking the fourth assassin escorting the Watcher, standing behind her off to one side. The angle of flight resulting in a lower abdomen strike. The assassin doubled up in pain and blood, screaming.

“Warn your archer if she releases again, you die, we only need your body, alive a small bonus compared to the possible trouble.” The Watcher spoke without regard to her fallen assassin, determine to bring control back to the situation. Charis in contrast impatient to rescue the fallen assassin from her accidental wounding comprehending the reasons more fully in this exact moment, their change of allegiance if the disregard demonstrated by the Watcher, typical.

The next arrow struck the arm gripping the dagger at Charis’ throat. The assassin yelped in pain and dropped the dagger, which Charis quickly grabbed mid fall. Springing to a standing position she pushed back into her wounded assassin, swivelling and striking in one motion. The assassin assisting Charis to stage her strike rolling away and ensuring blood from her wounded arm coated the dagger completing the illusion Charis slew her guard in her bid for freedom. She didn’t scurry off though, instead facing off with the Watcher set in a single dagger stance.

The Watcher assessed her options, did she want to commit to battle now, when she could return, later, stronger. She didn’t expect her assassin’s defeat, easily overthrown by Charis, perhaps she underestimated the young girl bitch. She shook her head slightly in disbelief, the situation unexpected and wrong. How?

The two remaining assassins, wide eyed searched for directions from the Watcher in vain. Lacking guidance they concentrated on positioning themselves using their hostages as human shields, standing them up to provide maximum coverage. Their heads darting left and right scanning the edge of fire light and night without hope. During this time Zoe sprinted to reposition herself. Dione in contrast waited patiently for an opportunity, when an assassin and her prisoner provided enough separation due to their repositioning to allow Dione to lasso an assassin cleanly.

The opportunity presented itself quickly. This freed Otonia who wrestled the assassin’s own dagger from her and stabbed her until stilled, rolling away in victory.

“Watcher what now?” asked the final assassin, as Otonia approached her. Rhea’s blubbering and sobbing dead weight not assisting the assassin.

“I command you stay and defend my retreat!” A moment later the Watcher released a smoke bomb of sorts, the resulting cloud impenetrable for several heartbeats. As the cloud cleared before a gentle night breeze the third assassin surrendered with a smirk, now surrounded by Otonia and Charis. Charis embraced her.

“Welcome assassin sister.”

---

The smoke bomb didn’t affect Zoe’s vision, her repositioning allowing her to spot the Watcher the moment she left the camp. Zoe immediately commenced stalking her. On Charis’ orders, following at a distance to ensure the Watcher left and didn’t linger, not to attack and risk her life. Charis needed confirmation the Watcher wouldn’t try to sneak back and catch them while they recovered and followed through with their plan. The Watcher needed to fulfil her role as their distant witness.

Zoe eventually pursued the Watcher back to the assassin’s camp where she viewed the Watcher mount her waiting horse and ride off leaving four tethered horses behind. Zoe followed as fast as she could on foot, listening for the horse’s clopping hooves, pausing when she reached the trail proper leading to Maplethorn. She witnessed a mounted rider galloping away rapidly, gradually fading away as her Borrow Gem sight failed due to distance. She stayed under cover at the edge of the trail, watching and appreciating the Borrow Gem’s gift.

---

As the smoke cleared Charis rushed to the wounded assassin struck accidently by Zoe’s arrow, now suffering in silence while yelling at the three other assassins.

“Assassins, clothes off, everything, you must be naked now, hurry. Bind any wounds.”

Charis held the bloodied assassin in her arms.

“Yes Mistress,” the three assassins replied.

“Mistress,” murmured the fourth assassin, aerated blood bubbling from her mouth.

“Quiet now while I attend to you,” replied Charis softly and tenderly as she recognised a pierced lung sign.

Her head weakly rocked side to side. “I am dying from this wound. My past wounds haven’t fully healed … I am done … I will miss discovering a new life.”

“Hush now.” Charis applied subtle gentle healing around the arrow site to stem the flow of blood in preparation to remove the arrow.

“I don’t regret the wounds Mistress as the Watcher didn’t kill me when I returned to the residence, unable to believe anyone willingly suffered such torment … so, I thank Helice for her expert thuggery!” She winced a small smile. Then a change, the whites of her eyes clearly visible in shocked reaction to the quelling of her pain and not grasping how.

“After your sacrifice you will survive, I promise.” Charis chose the moment of her promise to extract the arrow. With the healing being applied and no warning given the assassin released a short sharp yelp and then settled.

Helice kneeled beside Charis in support, the wound requiring significant magic to heal.

Dione fussed around the three assassins collecting their clothes and weapons, calling and waving to Astera and Thyia to assist. The soft leather armour tight and form fitting the additional assistance hastening the undressing. Dione confirming with Charis when ready.

“Mistress, we ride to the corpses, they will be dressed and then burnt as we planned.”

“The biggest pyre possible, hopefully high enough to be seen from both villages, tonight,” glancing up at Astera and Thyia, “ensure you both return to this camp before dawn.”

“Yes Mistress.”

“Dione, ride to Alcmene with their horses when done with the pyre, then she and those with her can ride through the Spur Gap back to town. Take care as the Watcher is still alive.”

Dione nodded from her saddle as she, Astera and Thyia rode off into the night to carry out the bidding of their Mistress.

“Helice contact Alcmene and update her. Then find a place to keep watch over the camp and stay hidden,” sent Charis

“Yes Mistress.” Charis knelt alone again with her wounded assassin the quiet giving her pause to think.

“Otonia if the Watcher made her escape, I suspect Zoe keeps lookout for her return near the trail. When you find her tell her to retrieve the assassin’s horses and lead them and any equipment with them back here, while you keep watch in her place. If you don’t find her return as early as possible … the Watcher may have killed her.” Charis spoke the final words plainly trying to conceal the possible hurt from the loss of one her sisters. Zoe possessed attuned items and Charis wondered if that fact would amplify the pain of loss, hoping never to find out.

Otonia checked her two knives and as stealthily as she could muster hurried off in search of her warrior sister.

Charis paused to consider if anything else needed attending to, noticing the three assassins naked and shivering.

“We await your orders Mistress.” They responded sheepishly to her incredulous gaze.

Charis paused her healing momentarily, trying to come to terms with their answer. The three naked assassins sported athletic mature bodies, women in their prime and for a moment Charis wondered how such accomplished creatures patiently waited, deferring their free will and fate to a sixteen-year-old such as herself. Their skills as assassins easily capable of overpowering her and yet here, they stand, shivering, bare skin to the cold breeze not permitting themselves to reach for a nearby blanket for Judge’s sake.

Charis needed to train them to display their initiative and decided to start immediately.

“You don’t need orders to care of yourselves,” Charis replied, with a venom in her voice.

They displayed a fear far out of proportion to Charis’ harsh order and acted like startled rabbits.

“Yes Mistress.” They immediately broke their huddled formation searching for blankets.

“Search the saddle bags of the hobbled horses you should find Seer Robes to wear. What will you do when you find them?”

The three assassins paused their searching, glancing at each other for consensus before replying.

“We will dress in them?”

The questioning response aggravated Charis forcing her to reply in a hissed frustration.

“You are going to disguise yourselves as Single Seers, obtain whatever and dress to ensure you succeed.”

“We are experts at disguise Mistress and the role is familiar to us.”

As the three assassins hurried off Charis observed three bodies of muscle lean, buttocks firm and breasts proud agog how three proficient weapons of stealth and death were so easily neglected by the Watcher and their Mother Superior. Did they command many assassins or were they so easily acquired the loss of some of little consequence?

Charis realised Rhea remained unaccounted for, until she noticed her laying beside the blissfully asleep Seer, stroking her hair, concerned trying to gently wake her. Possibly the care for her more of Raisa’s prompting instead of Rhea’s given the Seer was a student of Raisa’s. As the assassins stepped by her, she rose onto her haunches, locking her eyes upon Charis.

“Charis, what about the Seer, she hasn’t moved!”

“I gave her a sleeping potion, she won’t wake until morning and therefore miss any disturbance. Stay with her for now though.” Rhea/Raisa curtly nodded in agreement.

Charis continued willing her held assassin healed, she needed to do enough, so she wouldn’t die, not more than enough to suffer notice. Charis tried to concentrate and will the healing to the inside of the body; something new, target the wound instead of overall healing as she did for Dirce and Drosis to conserve her magic. This method would probably leave a scar, an expected result from recovery and better than death. The bruising, internal and external from Helice’s beating also a concern, riding a horse, a torture and aggravating the hurt no doubt. No wonder her shuffling gait while acting as the Watcher’s second.

For some reason Charis didn’t plan on covering up the death and rebirth of a fourth assassin, a subconscious decision perhaps, not believing survival possible under the Watcher’s scrutiny upon her return. Helice’s efforts certainly rewarded. Perhaps the ruse would involve, initial survival, lingering painful death, dying a couple of days along the trail and then another pyre.

Lost in her thoughts Charis didn’t notice the assassin’s return until they huddled around her and her severely injured fourth assassin. Charis’ vision allowed her to note their erect nipples pushing through the Seer Robe woollen cloth and without thought comment on the fact.

“You don’t bind your breasts?”

Charis admonished herself immediately upon observing the confusion on their collective faces.

“We, um, well apologies Mistress and will attend to our mistake at once.”

Charis’ patient revealed a wide grin and snorted the once gaining Charis’ attention.

“You stuffed up then didn’t you, I am glad you can make the occasional mistake Mistress.”

Staring into her patient’s eyes, capturing her attention to the exclusion of everything else Charis replied.

“I noted you don’t bind your breasts and assumed the same for them, that is all.”

“The warmth of your hand is comforting, although I sense much more is happening, my pain is receding and to be blunt, given I and my assassin sisters assumed I would be dead in two days, instead … I find an unusual sensation intensifying.”

Casting her eyes away, escaping Charis’ gaze she continued.

“So not only are you able to observe erect nipples in poor light, you are saving my life and while appreciative of the latter I wonder how.”

Charis bit her bottom lip, inwardly cursing, she accepted some questions would arise and before she answered the three assassins returned. They squatted and observed for several heartbeats and then the strangest questioning and fussing distracted Charis.

“Mistress I am not sure my binding is proper, it is too restrictive.”

“Your breasts have always been in your way.”

“Well my breasts aren’t as generous, and the binding isn’t comfortable.” The assassin in question then reached into her robe and tried to jostle her breasts within the wrapping.

Charis switched from each of them questioning the whole subject and how they arrived at this conversation while poised over an injured assassin.

“Loosen the bindings for now, Astera and Thyia are on mission and others are attending to duties. They can’t instruct you immediately.” Charis returned to tending her patient, her magic draining slowly.

“Not so loose sister, the binding has dropped to my waist now, see Mistress!” Charis glanced in the direction of the dismayed voice, captivated by the generous pair of breasts accidently revealed as the assassin held her Seer Robe open to clearly display the issue. Erect nipples and goose bumped flesh an enchanting extra.

“Remove your bindings for now,” Charis declared.

With covered smiles the three assassins complied, although they found it necessary to exaggerate the need to draw back their Seer Robes to facilitate the process.

---

Zoe rode back into camp saving Charis from further distraction from the three assassins.

“Assassins, to your horses and complete your transformation into Single Seers, with your letter of release and perhaps one dagger. If you can disguise yourself than do so as I assume the Watcher and the Mother Superior can easily recognise you?”

“Not really Mistress.”

Charis mouthed the word ‘what’, shocked.

“The Mother Superior rarely sees us up close. Even our meeting in the City was clandestine with her in the shadows while we wore cloaks with hoods drawn over our faces. It is in her interest as well as ours we can’t recognise each other. The Watcher normally assigned our missions, she would possibly recognise us, although we can make her doubt herself with some changes.”

“Well I suspect more assassins will visit us, so we shall see. Once you are transformed you need to select one of our horses each as we can own your horses as booty, you can’t ride a horse once belonging to an assassin. Ride towards Farstay and set up camp beside the trail, we can bump into each other tomorrow, you travelling to Maplethorn and us travelling to Farstay.”

“That should work Mistress, while Seers can ride, they don’t usually remember the horses ridden around them by others!” They laughed and patted each other enjoying the joke.

Charis admired the assassins as they left her side not sure when she decided the female form was more to her liking than the male, maybe it started with her early relations with Otonia and Dione and the influence of the Bronze Loops. They were worn by the stranger to win favour and it seemed seducing females and winning the friendship of males their purpose.

---

Her flesh knitted back together, her lungs first and shortly after her breathing cleared of blood. This change signalling to her she would live. Then her Mistress wrenched the arrow out, traumatic and Zosime screamed, although it didn’t tear and rend, therefore it wasn’t tipped. Who quivers such an arrow, although grateful they did, with less jagged flesh to mend aiding healing. Assessment and random conclusions filled her head.

The healing continued flesh found flesh, reuniting being returned to its original state. As this progressed a building desire followed. Her body responded in ways unfamiliar and her thoughts strayed to deeds she wished fulfilled. Her eyes drifted to her Mistress’ long neck, flickering fire light highlighting it and its milk white skin. Unusually white and Zosime couldn’t resist studying it.

Upon the arrival of her assassin sisters, Charis’ head changed position and Zosime needed to kiss her Mistress’ lips until then hidden by her square jaw, now slanting her own chin upwards to try, frustrated. What drove her to try? Where did her desire bud from? Charis’ hand repositioned across her abdomen to distract Zosime from her quest, igniting another want, wishing and willing the white hand to reach lower. Zosime raised her own hand slightly and dismissed the notion to grab Charis’ hand and force it where she needed it. Where did such a disgusting and wanton thought crawl from?

Then her Mistress spoke five amazing words.

“You don’t bind your breasts?”

How would Mistress know, the camp fire light weak, two of the assassins faced away from it and the third positioned in their shadow bent over observing and possibly worrying about my recovery.

When the assassins returned, breasts bound Zosime hand signalled to them. ‘Distract.’

Zosime observed Charis’ eyes follow their movements, clearly, she could see in gloomy light, if not shadow and the dark. Her eyes lingered on their exposed flesh, her pulse racing, blood filled veins throbbing behind her white skin and her hand resting on Zosime’s abdomen raising Zosime’s desire further.

Their new Mistress preferred female companionship. Rumours circulated the city of course of this preference amongst her warrior sisterhood as gossip escaped the Duke’s audience with her. Her reaction confirmed the rumours. Were the warrior sisters hers to satisfy her desire? How did her oath account for her preference? The next question, what about the Single Seers, forbidden to lay with men while bound to the Temple for fear of losing their Seer Gift, what if they laid with a woman?

“I will leave you for a moment.”

Charis’ words shocked Zosime back to the present and before she could protest Charis vanished into the darkness of night.

---

“Zoe, where is our Watcher?” Charis asked.

“She rode in haste towards Maplethorn Mistress.”

“Since you aren’t supposed to be here especially when the Seer wakes, could you please find a hidden place to observe the camp from in case the Watcher returns. I am not totally convinced she has left, too superior for a draw.”

“Yes Mistress.” Then Zoe embraced Charis, deliberately placing her cheek on Charis’. Charis recognised the magic within Zoe instantly, while Zoe answered Charis’ question before her jaw could open to speak.

“Sunlight Mistress, Dione and I bathed our skin and in particular our gifts in sunlight. The rapture invigorating, overpowering.” Her horse, husky breathing confirmation enough for Charis.

“Return with me to my patient and I will draw on your magic.”

“You are welcome Mistress, after all I simply need to bath in the sun’s light to restore it.”

---

Charis returned to her side with another warrior-sister and Zosime prepared herself for her Mistress’ healing touch. Oddly Charis placed her left hand on Zosime’s abdomen while the other rested on the warrior sisters’ shoulder, like a support perhaps.

Zosime shut her eyes stunned. Her flesh knit and mended, the warmth and serenity of a high sun day in Birth Season raced through her body, galvanising to healing, health and wellbeing. The change built up as if Zosime were jogging then running and finally sprinting. The damage of the arrow no more, the multitude of pains and aches caused by Helice erased. Unknown fine bone fractures mended. Behind squeezed shut eyelids her eyes rolled back. Her loins smouldered in want finally bursting, the release accompanied by a startled yelp. Her eyelids flickered while her mind savoured the climax of her desire.

“I suspect your patient is afflicted with the same devotion Dirce and Drosis appreciate Mistress,” smirked Zoe.

Noting Charis’ raised eyebrow, Zoe continued.

“It is common knowledge, every Initiate, every warrior sister knows the side affect of your healing, although only a special couple, until now seemed possessed by it.”

Charis considered Zoe’s cheeky response carefully. The patient required no more attention, apparently fully healed, as no scar remained upon her skin, resting unconsciously now. Charis still ‘dressed’ her wound for appearance sake, as they needed to construct a story for the Seer when she woke.

“I sun bathed as you say, before I healed Dirce and Drosis and the exhilaration at the time, I discarded, as I was afflicted by blindness and praying earnestly to the exclusion of all else to Judge to be cured. A dark time in my short life. I didn’t cure myself, never been able to and the Elder and I concluded the affliction was caused by my heritage or origin, a growing pain or sign of maturity.”

Charis surprised herself being so open to an Initiate. She mentally shrugged, what is done is done like mentioning erect nipples when impossible to note with normal vision.

“Thank you, Mistress for sharing, it wasn’t necessary, although appreciated. I will leave and find the perfect hiding place to watch over you.”

They stood and hugged and then Zoe retreated into the night, clearly seen by Charis until hidden by multiple bush and brush.

The three assassins huddled in conversation near the tethered horses, Charis waved them to her.

“Assist your sister by carrying her to a bedroll and tucking her in while she recovers.”

Two lifted from a shoulder each, while the third grasped her legs and with a slight bend in the middle of her body they placed her on an empty bedroll and tucked her in.

The three assassins examined the body they carried, the camp fire light revealing blood-soaked leather and cloth although not once did the body’s owner whimper or utter it was in pain when carried. They glanced back at Charis, wondering who she really was and what her powers really were. Assassins knew the body and what wounds meant; quick death, slow death, long and painful death or survivable, the assassin they lay to rest, due a long and painful death, it was a wound to the lower abdomen with many vital organs and much blood loss.

She lies now without pain instead of screaming in pain, and blood loss contained by a bandage. This recovery impossible, and amazingly performed while they were paying attention when their sister assassin was in Charis’ care. They planned to question their sister when she woke, not forgetting her sign to distract their Mistress and the reason. First to horse and pretend their own story.

“Mistress!” Rhea’s voice panicked and shrill.

Charis spun around to face the Watcher, a dagger at Rhea’s throat.

The three assassins released their grip on their horses’ reins and positioned themselves between their former superior and their current Mistress.

“Nice betrayal. The Mother Superior suspicious and I dismissed her doubts, assuming your loyalty as every Three before you. You were killers and now you want to push quills for a woman who is more myth than real.”

The three assassins stood silently, determined, knowing full well if they didn’t die, Charis by some means capable of healing them. This power an absolute truth witnessed in full by them and they held no doubt. Countering their belief an unexplained fear and they needed to tightly grasp each other’s hands to hold their ground.

“So, you truly are loyal to that bitch, so much so you are prepared to protect her with your lives! Your betrayal is your death and then hers!” She then threw in quick succession three edged, seven pointed disks. The Seer robes offered no protection and each assassin didn’t attempt to dodge, they stood as a wall of flesh protecting their Mistress.

The three assassins grabbed at their chests, plucking the pointed disks out before collapsing. The distraction allowed Helice to approach from hiding.

“The poison will paralyse nothing more, I really want to show you off to the Mother Superior. Your use is now over.”

Helice checked her daggers and realised the Watcher’s leather armour contained metal protection over vital organs, the soft leather stiff and straight in those places. She threw her daggers to wound and at least draw blood, from superficial wounds. The Watcher reacted rolling away to avoid both dagger throws, although freeing Rhea when she did.

“Bitch!” shouted Helice as she stalked after her another pair of daggers to hand. As she approached a wave of fear feathered her soul, to counter it she drew on her oath and loyalty to Charis, her bodyguard, her life nothing if spent to save Charis’.

The Watcher rolled to her feet in one smooth movement and set her feet with a dagger in each hand. Rhea, screeching, fled to Charis lunging towards her. Charis dropped her unstrung bow to catch Rhea’s trembling body, her head trying to borrow into Charis’ neck her eyes shut tight.

Zoe noted the metal protection as did Helice and settled on non-vital locations to target. The challenge for her, a moving target, even as the Watcher faced off with Helice. Her first release needed to cause maximum damage while Zoe held the advantage of surprise and her Borrow Gem vision relying on body heat didn’t assist.

“Rhea stand behind me and don’t hang on to me, you understand. If you wish to help, build up the fire.”

“Yes, yes, I think so, she is back, Charis why did she threaten me!”

By the time Charis readied her bow and nocked an arrow she faced the same difficultly as Zoe, the Watcher moving and positioning herself behind Helice for cover. Both combatants feinted and swept their daggers at each other, trying for an advantage not willing to make the first mistake in an extremely even contest. A stalemate of sorts developed although whereas Helice began to tire the Watcher remained strong.

Helice flicked her head to discard some sweat and noticed a dagger reaching from a bedroll. Steadily and cautiously Helice positioned the Watcher closer to the bedroll, forcing her the other direction on occasion to allay any possible suspicion the manoeuvring a deliberate or planned effort. Then the dagger struck.

The dagger blade pierced through the fleshy part of the calf behind the shin missing the metal plate front and back, the point of the dagger penetrating through to the other side. The pain and surprise caused the Watcher to scream and drop to one knee. The Watcher resisted the instinct to yank the dagger out in case it bled profusely. Zoe released and pierced the other leg’s ankle with a tipped arrow. Unable to step away the Watcher swivelled on a knee to vent her rage and strike the wielder with her own dagger in uncontrollable anger. Recognising her assailant as the weak pitiful broken fourth assassin motivated her beyond reason and pain to strike, for the betrayal and reap a vengeance.

Zosime recoiled from her raging former mentor, now defenceless forgetting to flee as anger laced fear overcame her.

Helice rushed forward and with the Watcher’s back now exposed buried a dagger under each of her armpits. They both penetrated the leather and reached flesh. Helice hung on to them both to arrest the Watcher, who couldn’t turn or reach her arms back as the daggers cut deeper with every movement and blood continued to flow. Helice’s triumph overcoming an unexplained fear, needing to consciously hold her water and the urge to step back and away from this creature.

Helice forcefully edged her away from the friendly bedroll, ordering her to drop her daggers, which she did as her life leaked away as did the strength of the fear afflicting Helice. She then guided the Watcher shuffling on her knees, to face Charis. The Watcher’s arms hung by her sides, her dagger impaled calf muscle, in sympathy with the arrow in her ankle quietening her. Charis drew an arrow and aimed it at their foe.

The Watcher lifted her head, staring at Charis’ arrow point unflinching.

“You won, it was a gamble returning, although most relax after survival and I didn’t expect to encounter so many slain, still alive. I needed to prepare more throwing stars. What now?”

“I am deciding if I should finish you off with an arrow to the eye or celebrate in silence as your life slowly leaks away as reward for your past deeds, dishonourable I am sure!”

“Well I suspect either will see me gone, but perhaps you have haste in mind?”

“I would see you dead, not gone. Perhaps I should aim for your heart if aiming for your eye only sees you gone!”

“I am at your mercy.” She spoke with blood mixed with breath, Helice’s blades tickling a lung perhaps. Charis aimed for her enemy’s heart and drew back. It also meant Helice wasn’t totally in harm’s way.

Charis observed; witnessing the contemplation behind the Watcher’s eyes, remarkably while staring down death. She released. Her target dispersed, the arrow followed through a fog, where before knelt a bleeding body. The arrow shaft raced between Helice’s spread legs as her body fell forward since her prop failed in an instant and she was concerned about the final resting place of her daggers! Charis inspected Helice’s prone body relieved to spot the arrow shaft standing proudly in the ground behind Helice and a dagger point either side of her neck as she crossed her arms to avoid wounding or death.

“You missed, Mistress, thankfully!” She stared at Charis in shocked relief, eyes wide.

“What just happened? Where did she go?” Charis asked.

As Helice regained her feet, she saw and picked up at least seven items and showed them to Charis. Charis knew from bitter experience the items masked those of evil and if powerful enough influenced those around them to accept them as a trustworthy person. Charis wondered what level of evil in a person required seven items to mask it. She was a confidant of a Mother Superior of Saph, was the Mother Superior also evil? How far did this go?

“Helice start checking on our new single seers to see if any are awake and can move. Zoe quickly search for Otonia please and return with her.” They witnessed something; questions needing answers, for now they needed to keep moving.

“Yes Mistress, our assassin acted bravely, the Watcher cast a fear about her, I needed to resist the urge to flee or freeze.”

“Perhaps I stood too far away,” said Charis as they shared a brief embrace, trying to comprehend.

Charis reclaimed her errant arrow and checked on their saviour and found her trembling, arms wrapped about herself. Charis dropped to hug her, gently unlocking Zosime’s arms, which then wrapped Charis within them.

“Your help appreciated.”

“Yes Mistress, always,” she replied slowly. “Fear reached for me when she approached, which I easily pushed away, your healing Mistress, the warmth not only a feeling, also courage. When she glared at me and shouted, I froze as fear assaulted me. I still tremble, and I am ashamed.” Her hot tears rolled down Charis’ neck.

“You are safe now and your bravery saved us, Helice began to tire and only Helice’s skill equalled the Watcher’s I believe.”

Zosime barely registered her Mistress’ words the closeness of their bodies, laying together a heady distraction overriding any residual fear. Through her armour and Charis’, the sensation of their pressed breasts caused Zosime to shiver with desire.

Charis embraced Zosime strongly thinking her still a feared and then releasing her offering her some water.

“I will need to remove your armour and some of your clothes as we will make you someone who was robbed and wandered into our camp last night who we bandaged and saved,” said Charis, trying to talk Zosime past the fear.

“My life is yours Mistress,” Zosime replied, imagining her Mistress’ hands and fingers upon her, unclothing her, occasionally brushing against her naked skin.

Charis encountered the same difficulty as Dione, Astera and Thyia. The soft leather boots easily removed, the soft leather pants form fitting and happy to stay in place.

Zosime offered her assistance, although oops, her loin cloth seemed to loosen, fortunately Mistress tied the wayward cloth back in place, while Zosime shut her eyes savouring every caress as her desire smouldered in response. Her soft leather long sleeved jacket fell away easily her nipples hard in response, due to the cold, not from her Mistress straightening and tying off the home spun woollen shirt, which she wore underneath. Various hardened leather pieces on arms and legs removed next along with sheathed knives and throwing stars.

“You are cold, so I will return with an under cloth, we can say we gave it to you to cover your modesty as well for warmth.” Charis smiled.

“Thank you, Mistress, you are aware my assassin sisters know your … power saved me from a death wound, they bravely accept you aren’t ordinary, as do I.”

“Well I couldn’t let you die, I take oaths seriously as you will find out if you break yours to me.”

“Yes Mistress.”

Charis took one last look around the camp and thought better to relocate it slightly as the quantity of blood spilt now too wide spread to cover up. This was made easier when the assassin seers woke.

“Welcome my sisters, mount up and ride, it will be dawn soon enough and you need to be a way down the trail. Are your wounds settled?”

“Yes Mistress, they’re nothing, we will need to change our robes though, later. Thank you, Mistress it is an honour to serve you.”

Charis stepped forward and placed her hand in turn upon their chest wounds, stemming the oozing blood and healing them. Charis received a knowing smile from each as she treated their wound.

With that they followed Helice to the trail and then travelled towards Farstay guided by their assassin lights illuminating the trail.

Helice returned shortly after Zoe and Otonia.

“Zoe, scout out another camp site, not too far away, it will be temporary and fortunately for us this country looks much the same regardless of direction and hopefully our Seer won’t notice the change. We should be ready to follow you by the time you return.”

“Yes Mistress.”

Helice, Otonia and Rhea started breaking camp and packing it on the horses, including the Seer. Charis assisted Zosime to mount a horse as her body, once severely hurt, still needed time to recover its energy. Zoe returned. They followed her and started to set out the camp again. Once established the new camp convincingly resembled the former one, without the blood. As one they noticed a large pyre blazing, with the mountain range as its backdrop and paused a moment to appreciate the sight.

“Zoe return to the old camp, try to cover as much blood as possible and when Astera and Thyia return, provide directions and tell them to ride to us, to see if we can catch some sleep before the Seer wakens.”

“Yes Mistress.”

“I need you to then camp separately down the trail and in the morning meet us as a hunter?” Charis asked as they didn’t destroy the Watcher, she vanished in a cloud of fog.

“I will be cautious Mistress,” replied Zoe.

“Otonia, Helice and Rhea, sleep, I will depend upon you both to ensure we safely reach Farstay tomorrow or is that today?” Charis checked on Zosime who chose sleep quickly after her bedroll welcomed her.

It was a couple of bells before Astera and Thyia rode into the new camp. Charis didn’t have the heart to advise them the pyre was excessive, still the Mother Superior would want to investigate so perhaps the pyre could yet serve a purpose. The uncertainty for Charis being the Watcher, which the plan required as a witness.

Astera and Thyia were ordered to sleep as well, although dawn was less than a bell away. Charis didn’t waste any time and with borrowed magic from Otonia set a few alerts up along the most obvious lines of attack and went to sleep. Briefly wondering how the Watcher avoided her alerts to return unannounced and instil fear into those near her.